George H.W. Bush remembered by family, friends at Texas funeral – AOL

Former President George H.W. Bush was remembered by family and friends as a humble leader with the “courage of a warrior” at a second funeral at the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday.

James Baker, a close friend who served as Bush’s secretary of state and chief of staff, delivered the first eulogy, sprinkling his tribute with humorous personal stories and praise for the former president as a man of strong faith and quiet humility.

“Yes, he had the courage of a warrior. But when the time came for prudence, he always maintained the greater courage of a peacemaker,” Baker said, referring Bush’s role in maintaining diplomacy after the Berlin Wall fell during his administration.

“He understood that humility toward, and not humiliation of, a fallen adversary was the very best path to peace.”

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President George H. W. Bush’s funeral service in Houston, Texas

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard to a Union Pacific train on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

Attendees stand during a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Houston Texan J.J. Watt arrives before a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

Attendees sit during a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

SPRING, TEXAS – DECEMBER 06: A Military honor guard carry the casket of former President George H.W. Bush aboard a Union Pacific locomotive, painted to look like Air Force One, on December 6, 2018 in Spring, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Rev. Russell J. Levenson Jr., speaks during a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Former President George W. Bush arrives for a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

SPRING, TEXAS – DECEMBER 06: A military band waits on the funeral procession of former President George H.W. Bush to arrive on December 6, 2018 in Spring, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Family members and friends pray during a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Former President George W. Bush embraces former Secretary of State James Baker, right, after he gave a eulogy during the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Reba McEntire sings ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ during a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

Dikembe Mutombo a former professional basketball player with the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Houston Rockets, attends a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

Members of the Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall, from left, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sturban arrive to a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

Yao Ming, a former professional basketball player with the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Houston Rockets, attends a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Police on horseback salute as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush heads to the Union Pacific train facility on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

Elizabeth Dwen Andrews, granddaughter of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, reads a scripture passage during a funeral service at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

James Baker, former U.S. Secretary of State, speaks during a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

George P. Bush, son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, speaks during a funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/ Pool via Bloomberg

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Former President George W. Bush embraces former Secretary of State James Baker, right, after he gave a eulogy during the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Nancy Ellis LeBlond Sosa, left, and Georgia Grace Koch read scripture during a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: (AFP-OUT) Granddaughter Barbara Pierce Bush reads scripture during a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martins Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. At back are Elizabeth Dwen Andrews, left, and Marshall Lloyd Bush. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Actor Chuck Norris (R) arrives with other guests for the funeral of President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church on December 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Bush, who died on November 30, will be buried on the campus of Texas A&M University behind his library center in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The casket of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush sits on the repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: David J. Phillip/Pool via Bloomberg

Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush talk with Neil Bush and his wife Maria after a funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston, as Jeb Bush listens. David J. Phillip/Pool via REUTERS

Former U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with mourners as the Bush family exit the funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., December 6, 2018. REUTERS/Rick T. Wilking

Former U.S. President George W. Bush looks on as a military honor guard carries the casket of his father, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, at the conclusion of his funeral service at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, U.S., December 6, 2018. REUTERS/Rick T. Wilking

A military honor guard walks the casket out of the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church during the funeral service for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush in Houston, Texas, U.S., December 6, 2018. REUTERS/Rick T. Wilking

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Baker, who was with the president during his last days, also drew laughs from the audience when describing the heated discussions he would have with the president about domestic issues and world events.

“He would look at me and he’d say, ‘Baker, if you’re so smart, why am I president and you’re not?’ He was a leader and he knew it,” Baker said.

The Thursday funeral is mainly for close friends to the former president and his family, who also attended Wednesday’s service. Several of his granddaughters read from scripture during the beginning of the service.

Baker choked up toward the end of his eulogy, describing his friend as a consummate statesman.

“He was not considered a skilled speaker, but his deeds were quite eloquent—and he demonstrated their eloquence by carving them into the hard granite of history,” he said.

“We rejoice…that you are safely tucked in now, and through the ages, with God’s loving arms around you. Because our glory, George, was to have had you as our president, and as such a friend.”

The president’s five living children were seated in the front row, including eldest son George W. Bush, the 43rd president, and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush. The other children include former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush and Dorothy Bush.

George W. Bush, who deliver a tearful eulogy at Wednesday’s service, gave Baker a hug and a kiss on the cheek after his eulogy.

Texas Land Commissioner George Prescott Bush, the former president’s oldest grandson and the son of Jeb Bush, eulogized his grandfather with personal anecdotes, affectionately referring to the former president as “Gampy” and his grandmother, the late former first lady Barbara Bush, as “Ganny.”

He told stories of playing horseshoe with his grandfather and his cousin and fly fishing with him in Maine, where the Bush family has a home. He said that despite Bush being a “larger than life figure,” he always made time for his grandchildren.

“In a typical day, he’d wake up around 5 a.m. to review security briefings and grab his first coffee of the day. When the coast was clear all the grandkids would try our best to snag a spot on the bed and nestle up between him and ‘Ganny’ while they read the paper,” George P. Bush said.

He called him “the most gracious and most decent and most humble man I will ever know.”

21PHOTOS

Trump, Clinton, Obama and Carter at former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral

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From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter participate in the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter participate in the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter participate in the State Funeral at the National Cathedral for former President George H.W. Bush, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter participate in a State Funeral at the National Cathedral for former President George H.W. Bush, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, listen as former President George W. Bush speaks during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington, for former President George H.W. Bush. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

U.S. President Donald Trump, first row from left, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, sit during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump, first row from left, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter bow their heads during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: (AFP OUT) From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral on December 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by Alex Brandon – Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: (AFP OUT) From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral on December 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by Alex Brandon – Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump, from left, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, listen as Brian Mulroney, Canada’s former prime minister, speaks during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Alex Brandon/Pool via Bloomberg

Former Senator Alan Simpson, a Republican from Wyoming, right, speaks during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: (2nd Row) Vice President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, former Vice President Dan Quayle, Marilyn Quayle, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Lynne Chaney, (1st Row) President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and former Jimmy Carter applaud for former President George W. Bush after he made remarks about his father, former President George H.W. Bush, during his state funeral at the National Cathedral December 05, 2018 in Washington, DC. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former U.S. President George W. Bush, second left, and former First Lady Laura Bush, from left, greet U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

TOPSHOT – US President Donald Trump, shakes hands with former US President Barack Obama,as former First Lady Michelle Obama, former US President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, former US President Jimmy Carter, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral of former US president George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, December 5, 2018. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, former president Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former president Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former president Jimmy Carter, former first lady Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral of former US president George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, December 5, 2018. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

(L-R) US President Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump; former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama; former US president Bill Clinton and former US Secreatry of State Hillary Clinton; former US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral of former US president George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, December 5, 2018. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Former U.S. President George W. Bush, from right, greets former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, former U.S. President Bill Clinton while former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, from right, speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama during a state funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried through the National Cathedral as U.S. President Donald Trump, first row from left, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter stand during a state funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home in Houston on November 30. In his one term in the White House he fashioned a restrained response to the Soviet Union’s collapse and assembled the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

US Vice President Mike Pence (L), President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, with former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former president Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and former president Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter pay their last respects as pall bearers bring in the casket of former US president George H.W. Bush during his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, December 5, 2018. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT – Former president George W. Bush (C), flanked by his wife Laura (bottom L) reaches past (from L-R) US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and former president Barack Obama to greet former first Lady Michelle Obama as US president Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and former president Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter look on during the funeral service former president George H.W.Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC December 5, 2018. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

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For the musical selection, The Oak Ridge Boys performed “Amazing Grace” in honor of the former president, whom they meet while Bush was vice president.

Country music icon Reba McEntire also performed “The Lord’s Prayer,” which prompted George W. Bush to dab his eyes with a handkerchief afterward.

After Thursday’s memorial service, Bush will be taken to Union Pacific Railroad Westfield Auto Facility by motorcade procession for a departure ceremony.

Then his casket will be placed on a train where it will travel through several Texas towns: Old Town Spring, Magnolia, Tomball and Navasota. The train ride is slated to last roughly three hours.

The train, which will slow as it passes through each town, will arrive at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, in the early evening. Afterward, there will be a final procession to Bush’s presidential library, located on university campus, where the former president will be interned.